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Call for Papers: International Investment Law and NCD Prevention

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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. Almost three quarters of all NCD deaths, and 82% of the 16 million people who

die prematurely, occur in low- and middle-income countries. NCDs have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities; they threaten to overwhelm health systems; and

they hinder development. Since the first UN High Level Meeting on NCDs in 2011, the international community has acknowledged the scope of the problem and undertaken to take coordinated and coherent action to reduce the burden of NCDs.

In particular, the WHO Global Action Plan on the Prevention and Control of NCDs for 2013-

2020 lays down the foundation for the adoption of effective strategies intended to

reduce the availability , acceptability and affordability of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and

unhealthy food , which include the adoption of marketin g restrictions, labelling rules and

fiscal measures.

More recently, states renewed their commitment to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” and “ reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal 3).

In 2018, the third UN High Level Meeting on NCDs will assess the progress that states have

made towards their commitment to reduce the burden of NCDs. Over the last thirty years, globalisation and economic liberalisation have greatly increased foreign direct investment in the tobacco, alcohol, and food industries. Foreign investors enjoy certain protections under international investment agreements (IIAs) which empower them to bring compensation claims against host states for any government measure that interferes with their investment. Thus, state efforts to

reduce risk factors for NCDs and promote public health could give rise to expensive legal proceedings , as illustrated by recent claims challenging tobacco control regislation in Australia and Uruguay.

The regulation of alcoholic beverages and unhealthy food could face similar challenges under international investment law . This raises important and timely questions about how international investment law can affect state regulatory autonomy in designing and implementing measures
for preventing NCDs. The conference, organised by the Law & NCD Unit at the University of Liverpool, will explore the relationship between the NCD prevention policies and international investment law. It proposes to adopt an interdisciplinary viewpoint; we would particularly welcome contributions by lawyer s and public health experts , as well as economists and specialists in trade and developments studies

It is anticipated that the conference will cover the following questions:

-How do IIAs affect government choices in designing and implementing NCD

prevention policies?

-What legitimate expectations of investors in the tobacco, alcohol, and food sector are